Jacksonville Jaguars lose promising rookie for three weeks
By Jason Marcum
One of the lone bright spots of the Jacksonville Jaguars preseason was the unexpected performance of rookie cornerback Dwayne Gratz. The 64th overall pick in the draft, Gratz earned a starting job out of training camp across from Alan Ball.
Following a preseason that saw him do well covering Miami’s Mike Wallace and Philadelphia’s DeSean Jackson, Gratz’s first regular season assignment is Kansas City’s Dwayne Bowe, and the Pro Bowler was held to just four receptions for 30 yards.
But during yesterday’s ugly loss to the Chiefs, the Jags were hit hard on the injury front. They’ve already announced Blaine Gabbert is out and Chad Henne will replace him, but they also lost Gratz to a right shin injury that will cost him at least three weeks.
The Jags are in rough shape at cornerback entering Week 2 against the Raiders. Terrell Pryor should be someone you pick up if you’re in need of a quarterback, as the Jags defense will be weaker than that of the Colts defense, which Pryor erupted for 217 yards through the air, one throwing touchdown and 112 yards on the ground.